TCL Window and Portable AC Units Compared
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TCL is best known for televisions, but it also makes home appliances, including a range of smart air conditioners. Its AC units share a few friendly features that make them easy for first-time buyers: each one works as an air conditioner, a fan and a dehumidifier, and each can be controlled from a phone app, a remote or your voice through a smart speaker. That makes a TCL AC a practical pick for a first apartment, a dorm or a hot home office.
The three TCL units below differ in type and size: the 14,000 BTU window air conditioner cools the largest rooms, the H7P38W is a small renewed portable unit for rooms up to 300 square feet, and the 10,000 BTU portable unit sits in between for rooms up to 450 square feet.
TCL Air Conditioners Compared
| Model | Type | Listed BTU | Room Size Listed | Listed Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL 14,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner | Window | 14,000 BTU | Up to 700 sq. ft. | 54 dB |
| TCL H7P38W Smart Portable Air Conditioner (Renewed) | Portable | 7,000 SACC (11,000 ASHRAE) | Up to 300 sq. ft. | Not listed |
| TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner | Portable | 10,000 SACC (14,000 ASHRAE) | Up to 450 sq. ft. | 51 dB |
TCL 14,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner for Large Rooms
TCL
TCL 14,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner, Fan, & Dehumidifier, Wi-Fi
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
TCL 14,000 BTU Smart Window Air
Best for: Large rooms up to 700 sq. ft
Pros
- 14,000 BTU cooling
- App, voice and remote control
- Sleep and Eco modes
- Washable filter
Cons
- Fits 26-36 in. windows only
- Screwdriver needed for install
The TCL 14,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner is the most powerful unit in this guide. A window air conditioner sits in a window opening, with the hot side outside and the cool side facing into your room, so it does not need a hose. TCL says this model cools rooms up to 700 square feet, which covers a large living room or an open-plan space, and it offers multiple fan speeds.
It is a 3-in-1 unit: air conditioner, fan only and dehumidifier. You can control it through the TCL Home app, with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, or with the included remote. Sleep and Eco modes are designed to save energy. The listing notes a washable, reusable filter that catches large particles such as dust and pet hair, a listed noise level of 54 dB, R-32 refrigerant and a 115 volt plug. It is not an inverter model, meaning the compressor switches on and off rather than varying its speed.
Installation uses the included kit. You will need your own screwdriver, some window frames may need pre-drilled pilot holes, and the window opening must be 26 to 36 inches wide and 16 inches tall. A few spec lines look like data errors, such as “Requires New Outdoor Unit” and a centrifugal compressor, which do not fit a self-contained window unit. This model suits homeowners and renters allowed to use window units in a big room. If your building bans window units or your window is too small, choose one of the portable models. For another take on this category, see our look at a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner.
TCL H7P38W 7,000 SACC BTU Portable AC, Renewed, for Small Rooms
TCL
TCL H7P38W 7,000 SACC BTU (11,000 BTU ASHRAE) Smart Portable Air Conditioner, Fan & Dehumidifier, 300 Sq. Ft, Remote Control, Compatible w/Alexa/Google Assistant, White (Renewed)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
TCL H7P38W 7,000 SACC BTU
Best for: Dorms and small bedrooms, renewed unit
Pros
- Compact footprint
- Auto restart after outages
- Window kit and hose included
Cons
- Renewed, not new
- Cools only 300 sq. ft
The TCL H7P38W 7,000 SACC BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner is a renewed unit sold through Amazon Renewed, meaning a pre-owned or returned unit that has been inspected before resale. A portable air conditioner stands on the floor on wheels and sends hot air outside through a flexible hose connected to a window kit.
TCL rates it at 7,000 BTU SACC, or 11,000 BTU ASHRAE, and says it cools up to 300 square feet. It has an ultra-compact footprint of 15.3 by 14.0 by 24.8 inches, fitting dorms, bedrooms and offices. Like the other TCL units it offers AC, fan and dehumidifier modes, plus control through the app, Alexa or Google Assistant, or the included remote. An LED display sits on the unit, a 24 hour timer is listed, and Auto Restart turns it back on after a power outage with the same settings.
Setup is simple: roll it to a window, attach the hose and window kit, and plug it in. It works with vertical and horizontal sliding windows up to a 59 inch opening, but not with casement windows that crank outward. The box includes the hose, window kit, manual, warranty paperwork and a remote with batteries. It is listed at 49.3 pounds and 1030 watts; a 1.4 pint capacity is also listed without saying what it refers to. This suits students and renters cooling a small room who are comfortable with a renewed unit. For a larger room, the 10,000 BTU portable is the step up.
TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner for Living Rooms
TCL
TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner, Wi-Fi, Remote Control
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air
Best for: Living rooms where window units aren’t allowed
Pros
- Cools up to 450 sq. ft
- 51 dB listed noise
- 24-hour timer
Cons
- Takes floor space
- Window kit contents not listed
The TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner is a new portable unit rated at 10,000 BTU SACC, or 14,000 BTU ASHRAE, according to the description. TCL says it cools up to 450 square feet with a compact footprint of 14.1 by 16.05 inches, making it suitable for living rooms, dorms, bedrooms and offices.
It offers AC, fan and dehumidifier modes, control through the TCL Home app, Alexa or Google Assistant, or the included remote, and an LED display. Sleep and Eco modes aim to reduce energy use, and a 24 hour timer is listed. It has a washable filter, R-32 refrigerant, a 115 volt plug and a listed noise level of 51 dB, the quietest listed figure here. Like the window unit, it is not an inverter model.
The listing does not detail the window kit or which window types it fits, unlike the H7P38W listing, so check before buying if you have unusual windows. This model suits renters in apartments where window units are not permitted, or anyone who wants to move an AC between rooms. If you have a suitable window and a room larger than 450 square feet, the 14,000 BTU window unit covers more space.
How to Choose the Right TCL AC Unit
Choose window or portable first. Window units are usually more efficient because the hot parts stay outside, and they leave your floor clear. Portable units are easier to set up, can move between rooms and often suit renters, but they take floor space and need a hose to a window.
Understand SACC and ASHRAE BTU. BTU (British thermal unit) measures how much heat an AC removes. ASHRAE is an older test that gives a bigger number, while SACC (seasonally adjusted cooling capacity) is a newer U.S. rating for portable units that reflects real-world conditions. That is why the H7P38W is listed as both 7,000 SACC and 11,000 ASHRAE. When comparing portable units, compare SACC to SACC.
Match the unit to your room. The listings suggest up to 300 square feet for the H7P38W, 450 for the 10,000 BTU portable, and 700 for the 14,000 BTU window unit. Sunny rooms, high ceilings and kitchens need more cooling than the headline figure suggests.
Check your window. The window unit needs a 26 to 36 inch wide opening. The H7P38W works with sliding windows up to 59 inches but not casement windows. If you want to understand the smaller unit in more depth, our TCL portable air conditioner guide goes further.
Think about noise and smart features. All three units offer app and voice control. The 10,000 BTU portable lists 51 dB and the window unit 54 dB; the H7P38W listing does not say.
FAQ
Which TCL AC unit should I buy for a bedroom?
For a small bedroom up to 300 square feet, the H7P38W portable fits. For a larger bedroom up to 450 square feet, the 10,000 BTU portable is the better choice.
What does SACC mean on a TCL portable air conditioner?
SACC stands for seasonally adjusted cooling capacity, a newer rating that better reflects real-world cooling for portable units. It is lower than the older ASHRAE number on the same unit.
Can I control a TCL air conditioner with my phone?
Yes. All three listings mention app control, voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, and an included remote. The window unit also lists Siri.
Do TCL portable ACs work with casement windows?
The H7P38W listing says casement windows are not supported. The 10,000 BTU listing does not specify, so check before buying.
Does the TCL window AC come with installation tools?
It includes an installation kit, but you need your own screwdriver, and some frames may need pilot holes.
Can a TCL AC dehumidify a room?
Yes. All three units list a dehumidifier mode as part of their 3-in-1 design.
